Practical Use of the CBM Worksheet

In our last post of this series on starting a condition-based maintenance program, we interviewed our Program Manager of Reliability Services Mike Rathbun, an integral part of the group that got this effort off the ground. Recently, Rathbun and his team conducted a training session around using the CBM worksheet that we reference throughout this…

Recently we published a series on condition-based maintenance (CBM) for motors, which is a core area for EECO. We wrote this series based on extensive feedback we’ve received as well as recommended textbooks. Our goal was to produce some condensed insights on maintenance and reliability. During this process, we also developed an eBook on CBM…

As shared in our last post, starting a new CBM program is tough. In our experience, the most successful teams tend to put in more work on the front end. This usually leads to the development of a business case. In this post we will explore the process to build the case, and how to…

In our last post of this series on condition-based maintenance, we discussed the financial guidelines of maintenance as well as some of the supporting KPIs. In this post, the sixth of the series, we will get into the nuts and bolts of starting a new condition-based maintenance program. We are all really busy. There is…

Last time we examined the concept of cascading objectives when starting a condition based maintenance program. In this post we will explore some of the financial guidelines of maintenance, as well as some of the supporting KPIs. Financial and metric guidelines At the highest level, manufacturers need a relative means to evaluate maintenance expense. This…

One of the first steps to starting a great reliability program or a simpler CBM program is simply understanding maintenance. This post will explore maintenance from a historical perspective and define some of the key terms. Understanding Maintenance Maintenance and reliability are professional fields with certifications available to highly trained personnel. There are numerous outlets for training; typically…

It is a well accepted fact that accurate bearing fit is critical to bearing life and run life of the motor. With more than 40% of motor failures related to bearings, this best practice cannot be emphasized enough, especially since the variables of bearing fits are easily controlled in the motor shop. For more,…

“We were then satisfied that, with proper lubrication and better adjustments a little more power could be expected.” — Orville Wright Bearings can be found in most anything that rolls, from skateboards to rocket motors in billion dollar space shuttles. When expensive motors fail, the results can be catastrophic. Electric Motors also keep industry in…

Surge testing helps identify a shorted motor conductor turn and as such is a powerful predictor of future motor failure due to turn-to-turn shorting. Failure of conductor insulation is the culprit here and is one of the first signs that a motor is going to electrically fail. The root cause is often insufficient insulation…

Polarization Index testing or PI testing is often misunderstood and misapplied. it’s a highly useful test to determine the health of motor insulation and in so doing, identify accumulations of contaminants and assess the physical health of the insulation. In short, polarization means to cause something to obtain polarity and this test causes molecules…

A sound stator core is the foundation of a good motor winding. As we discussed in the previous post on Core Loss Testing, this test is essential to determining the viability of a stator core prior to motor rewind. In this video, we explore how to properly conduct core loss testing, the warning signs…

Installing motor bearings correctly is critical to long bearing and motor life with optimal performance. This post explores procedures for proper bearing preparation and installation in order to minimize the possibility of bearing and motor failure. Many bearings fail or will fail upon installation if proper shop procedures are not observed. Proper bearing installation To…

Proper assessment of motor bearing fits requires sound references and precision methods. Every motor repair requires an assessment of bearing fit, and fast-paced motor repair shops face the added challenge of repeated accuracy. This post will help you understand what your shop should be doing at a minimum to assess bearing fits. Why are motor…

A sound motor stator core is the foundation of a good motor winding. As is the case with building construction, a good foundation is often taken for granted yet essential to longevity. This post will explore why it is so important to ensure that your rewinds start with a good core, and how you…

The polarization index test is one of the most misunderstood, and sometimes misapplied, of all electrical tests. This post will summarize some of the changes to the test over time and provide insight as to how it should, and should not be used. What is a Polarization Index test? The polarization index (PI) is used…

Electrical testing of motors can be very complicated, yet its importance is often under-estimated. One of the most basic tests is the insulation resistance test, also referred to as the Megger test (due to the powerful Megger brand name). Though basic by nature Megger tests are very useful. However, if proper guidelines are not followed the results can be suspect.…

Insulation Resistance testing is one of the most basic motor electrical test procedures that can be conducted in the field or in the shop. Yet it’s often overlooked as a source of valuable information, and it’s often misapplied due to some misunderstood fundamentals that must be observed when conducting an IR test. This…

Motor rotor balancing can be a confusing topic leading to sometimes heated conversation, especially in motor shops where cultures have evolved so differently over the years. All rotors must be balanced, whether new from the factory OEM or recently repaired. But the methods of balancing vary, as does the quality of the work. In this post…

This is the first in a series of motor repair best practices videos from EECO. These videos will help dispel some common misconceptions about motor repair, and highlight best practices related to industrial motor repair. To understand best practices in motor repair, you need to know how what to look for in your motor repair shop, and what…

According to industry sources, the U.S. spends over a trillion dollars a year on maintenance expense with more than 75% of those costs attributable to human error. While this is a source of concern for many maintenance managers, perhaps equally concerning is that one third of the expense is wasted expense. Good motor maintenance is predicated on…

Proper electric motor balancing and precision machine work will extend the life of your motor, particularly the bearing life. So ask yourself this question, “How much could one extra year of run life on every motor repaired save you?” Answer: 14% if you are averaging 6 years, which could add up to thousands. Electric motor…

Inspection is a critical portion of the motor repair job, and it defines the entire scope of work. You want answers to critical questions before you send a motor out for repair. You want to know: How thoroughly and accurately will the motor be inspected? What determines that the motor repair was successful and that…

EECO received its fourth Steelman burnoff oven on August 8th 2014 in Richmond, increasing investment in electric motor repair in Virginia. According to Frankie Johnson, Rewind Program Manager, “the winding team continues to implement tighter controls and acceptance testing requirements to increase the quality of rewinds”. Electric Motor Repair In Virginia – Our Program EECO provides…